Musical instrument case with stand and instrument hanger

ABSTRACT

The disclosure of the present invention contemplates that provision is made for the guitar case to be supported from its bottom end by a foldable stand so that the case can be inclined upwardly at an angle relative to the horizontal, such as a floor surface. A guitar, when removed from the guitar case can then be suspended or hung from a hanger provided on the guitar case. The guitar is thereby oriented to be suspended substantially vertically, relative to the ground, and the bottom of the guitar is spaced from the ground or floor surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/191,253, entitled “Musical Instrument Case with Stand and Instrument Hanger,” filed Sep. 8, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of one implementation of a musical instrument case 100 comprising a main body 110, to which are pivotably coupled a cover (not shown), a stabilizing apparatus (stand) 130, and an instrument hanger 140. Main body 110 comprises cavities that are configured to receive a musical instrument 200 and accessories. Methods for the design and construction of the interior and exterior of main body 110 are known in the art. Musical instrument 200 comprises a large body 210 and a narrow neck 220, wherein neck 220 may terminate in a wider enlarged portion 230. Although the musical instrument 200 (shown in FIG. 3) is an acoustic guitar, other instruments having a generally similar form and containable within a similarly constructed case may also be used with this or other embodiments of musical instrument case 100.

Stand 130 may consist of or comprise an elongated member or members. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, stand 130 is a single curved elongated member having a rectangular cross section and coupled to main body 110 at both ends. It should be recognized that there are many different shapes the elongated member(s) can have without departing from the present invention. Stand 130 may be pivotably coupled to the base of main body 110. The overall width of stand 130 preferably does not exceed that of main body 110, so that in folded position stand 130 does not protrude beyond the perimeter of main body 110. An indentation 150 may be provided in main body 110; the shape of indentation 150 may substantially correspond to that of stand 130 so as to receive stand 130 in the folded position. The depth of indention 150 may also substantially correspond to the thickness of stand 130 such that, in the folded position, the outer surface of stand 130 does not substantially extend beyond the outer surface of main body 110. Means may be provided for securing stand 130 and instrument hanger 140 in the folded position.

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the musical instrument case 100 of FIG. 1 showing stand 130 and instrument hanger 140 unfolded. In the unfolded position, stand 130 is oriented in a substantially horizontal plane, thus achieving areas of contact with the floor over a relatively large range and thereby enhancing stability. A means is provided for selectively locking stand 130 in the unfolded position, such that stand 130 can bear weight without substantially changing position.

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of musical case 100, wherein musical instrument 200 is suspended from instrument hanger 140. Instrument hanger 140 may have two prongs with a space between them narrower than enlarged portion 230 and wider than the portion of neck 220 adjacent to enlarged portion 230. Instrument hanger 140 supports enlarged portion 230, thereby suspending musical instrument 200.

A stand generally similar to stand 130 may be coupled to an electric guitar. Although a stand coupled to an electric guitar is coupled to the surface of the guitar instead of to the surface of a carrying case, its function, construction, and benefits are generally the same. Any related or accessory mechanisms and/or elements associated with a stand coupled to a guitar case, such as a selective locking mechanism, a means for securing the stand in the folded position, and/or an indentation that can receive the folded stand, may also exist in a similar capacity in association with a stand coupled to an electric guitar. 

1. A musical instrument case, comprising: a main body, a cavity being provided therein for receiving a musical instrument having a large body and a narrow neck, said neck being coupled to an enlarged portion that is wider than the adjacent portion of said neck; a cover, covering said cavity in said main body when closed; a stabilizing apparatus, pivotably coupled to said main body such that said stabilizing apparatus can assume a folded position in which it does not substantially extend away from said main body, and an unfolded position in which it can support said main body to stand upright; an instrument hanger, pivotably coupled to said main body and capable of receiving said neck of said musical instrument, whereby said musical instrument can be suspended.
 2. The musical instrument case of claim 1, wherein said stabilizing apparatus: is primarily oriented in a substantially horizontal plane when in the unfolded position; has an overall width comparable to that of said main body; is pivotably coupled to the base of said main body; and is in the form of an elongated member or members.
 3. The musical instrument case of claim 1, wherein an indentation is provided in said main body, said indentation being configured to receive said stabilizing apparatus in the folded position.
 4. The musical instrument case of claim 1, wherein said stabilizing apparatus comprises a means of selectively locking said stabilizing apparatus in the unfolded position.
 5. The musical instrument case of claim 1, wherein a means is provided for securing said stabilizing apparatus in the folded position.
 6. The musical instrument case of claim 1, wherein a means is provided for securing said instrument hanger in the folded position.
 7. A stabilizing apparatus as described in claim 2, coupled to the base of an electric guitar.
 8. The electric guitar stabilizing apparatus of claim 7, wherein an indentation is provided in said surface of said electric guitar, said indentation being configured to receive said stabilizing apparatus in the folded position.
 9. The electric guitar stabilizing apparatus of claim 7, wherein said stabilizing apparatus comprises a means of selectively locking said stabilizing apparatus in the unfolded position.
 10. The electric guitar stabilizing apparatus of claim 7, wherein a means is provided for securing said stabilizing apparatus in the folded position. 